Common Name:

General Information

Rhinacanthus nasutus is an erect, much-branched shrub growing up to 2 metres tall, occasionally to 3 metres[].
The plant is often gathered from the wild for local medicinal use. It is commonly cultivated in Java as a hedge plant and for protection against soil erosion[]. It is also planted for its ornamental value[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - India.

Habitat

Thickets, hedges and waste places at elevations up to 750 metres. It thrives best on moist, well-drained soils, but it is also found in much drier habitats such as rock crevices[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun or partial shade. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is used in traditional medicine, where it is particularly valued for its beneficial effect upon a range of skin conditions.
The plant has been shown to contain a number of medically active compounds including several naphthoquinones, flavonoids and phytosterols[].
The naphthoquinone rhinacanthin-B has shown significant cytotoxicity[].
The naphthoquinones rhinacanthin-C and -D, isolated from the aerial parts, have shown potent inhibitory activity against human and murine strains of human cytomegalovirus[].
Several other naphthoquinones have been isolated. Most of these showed significant cytotoxicity, particularly rhinacanthin-D, -H, -K, -M and -Q[].
From the methanol extract of the stems and leaves, an antifungal naphthoquinone was isolated with an ED50 value of 0.4 ppm on spore germination of Pyricularia oryzae (causing rice blast disease) and with 82% inhibition at 100 ppm.[].
Two lignans, rhinacanthin-E and -F isolated from the aerial parts, exhibited significant antiviral activity against influenza virus type A[].
A 95% alcohol extract of the aerial parts exhibited antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus at a dose of 100 mg/disk[].
The chloroform and alcohol extracts of aerial parts show antifungal activity against Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton rubrum[].
The crude ethanol extract proved to possess relatively high acaricidal activity (71-85% mortality) tested in vitro on cattle ticks[].

The root is considered to be aphrodisiac[, ]. It is boiled in milk and the milk is then drunk[].

The roots and leaves are applied externally as a remedy for certain skin disorders such as ringworm, eczema, scurf and herpes[]. They are either soaked in vinegar or alcohol, pounded with lemon or tamarind, or made into a decoction[].

The leaf is considered to be antidote, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and detoxicant[]. It is used as a treatment against snake venom[]. The stem and leaves are also applied to treat ringworm infections, as well as being used in the early stages of tuberculosis[].

An infusion (part not specified) has a reputation in folk medicine for the treatment of hypertension[]. In Thailand, anti-cancer activity has been reported[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Regularly planted as a hedge, it has also been used to prevent soil erosion in road construction[, ].

Other Uses

The seeds are used for scenting clothes[, ].

Propagation

Seed -
Stem cuttings, about 10cm long, comprising 2 - 3 nodes, are planted under partial shade during the rainy season[].

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